I’m trying hard to curb my use of the word “awesome.” It’s one of my favorite words, but I find myself using it a little bit too much in my common vernacular. I find myself saying stuff like: “Those pancakes were awesome!” They were fantastic no doubt, but I don’t believe they were truly inspiring of awe. I say this because, in the last week I experienced something that truly deserved the descriptor of awesome. Something that sincerely brought me to awe.
Last month I was caught in a whirlwind that was days of travelling, World Race Training Camp, visiting family, and prepping for World Race launch. At the end of July a few friends and I had planned a trip to the Rocky Mountains. The culmination of one of the busiest months of my life. I was, admittedly, not as excited as I was prior to the trip. I was not particularly happy to be doing even more driving (Having done some 40 hours of driving for training camp), and I was hoping for some ever-elusive alone time since the beginning of the month. However, I was completely unprepared for the beauty that I was to take in. I was unprepared to truly experience “awesome.”
The Holy Cross Wilderness; Awesome.
The Rocky Mountains were truly beautiful. We hiked in a section called the Holy Cross Wilderness. It was 30 miles of uncivilized and secluded trail. Having grown up in the flat-land forests of Wisconsin it’s hard to describe exactly what it was like. It seemed as though every other hour we were in a brand new, even more stunning than the last environment. This was the stuff that made National Geographic magazines, but so much better in person. We had a solid group of guys too. I couldn’t have picked better men to hike with.
At some point during our hike, someone had brought up how God many times has revealed His Glory on mountains. He first reveals himself to Moses on Mount Sinai in one of the most memorable moments in human history (Exodus 19, Exodus 33). Elijah puts many false prophets to shame on a mountain, displaying the power of God (1 Kings 18). Jesus takes Peter and John, and reveals his true connection and glory with the Father up on a mountain (Matthew 17). This connection really stuck with me. As we hiked through the mountains, there are few better words to describe it than “glorious.” It is not mere coincidence to me that God would reveal himself in such an area.
Something else that struck me on the trip was the path that we walked. It was tough. I like to think that I keep myself in fair enough shape and after hiking a bit on the Appalachian Trail, I was sure I was ready the Rockies. Surely, it wouldn’t be too challenging. I was very wrong. The path seemed to never stop going up. By the end of day 1 my legs were jelly, but there was no room for stopping. Altitude also took a toll on me. My head pounded night after night, and I struggled to sleep. I was constantly running out of breath with less oxygen than I’m used to. Here in WI we enjoy a nice slightly-above-sea-level amount of oxygen, it is much different once you ascend 2 miles into the atmosphere. In light of those challenges, I’m so much more appreciative of God’s path set before us. Constantly, we are reminded to walk with Him, but he never says it is easy. In fact the Bible is pretty forward in saying the opposite (Matt 7:13). How beautiful, though, is the path we take! Our efforts do not go unrewarded. This is especially true for me in light of my path on the World Race. Both paths require perseverance, patience, and eyes on a prize that is greater than what you are currently experiencing. The path is tough, but our struggles will be so worth it once reach our destination!
My Trusty tent and future World Race home!
So, I’m excited. I’m excited to experience that which is truly awesome. I’m excited to walk the path ahead of me. Excited to face the trials and taste the fruit of those trials. I’m excited because I have an awesome God who has set and knows the road before me.
